Geog vacancy at John Ruskin Coniston part-time

[Kevin Cooper]

I am moving (to... Grimsby!), so my part-time teaching post at John Ruskin in Coniston is available if anyone knows anyone who might be interested - closing date officially Monday 22nd, but if you phone Val (Office Manager, etc.) on 015394 41306 she might be able to let people have a bit longer if you say "only just seen on the ning"? (interviews are following Monday)

For those who don't know John Ruskin - small school (c.200 11-16), with all the benefits and drawbacks a small school tends to have - just been rated Good by Ofsted - visitors (including Ofsted and other advisors) seem to consistently say the kids are well behaved, etc. - 5 A*-C tends to be c.80%, incl Eng Maths much lower, more like 45% (but variable due to the fact that 1 student counts as c.2-3% of total). Biggest challenge for me has been huge ability range within every class, and the impossibility of teacher-talk lasting more than 5 mins (a big problem for me!!!)

HoD has been a great colleague - organised, efficient, but down-to-earth and realistic in her expectations (hope you're reading this Sarah!)

Staffroom has been, for me, the best I have experienced - supportive, genial, accepting of different styles and personalities, fun, laid back but professional, wanting to do a really good job...

[Alan Parkinson]

Best wishes to you Kevin for your new job.
As we all know, east is best... :)

Thanks to Kevin for his efforts in kick-starting the NING. As he said in his earlier message, I hope that this continues, and that colleagues from Cumbrian schools continue to work hard to 'meet' virtually given the substantial physical barriers to face to face contact with colleagues....